Rockies Won’t Trade Gonzalez, Cuddyer

While there has been some speculation that the Rockies could consider moving outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, General Manager Dan O'Dowd says that the standout will be staying put in Colorado, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.

O'Dowd says that talk of the team putting the 26-year-old on the block started when Nationals GM Mike Rizzo inquired on him via phone. The Rockies GM says that he told Rizzo that the outfielder wasn't available, and that was the end of it.

O'Dowd added that he has had a great deal of calls on Michael Cuddyer but won't part with him either. He expects to keep Dexter Fowler past the deadline as well but stopped short of calling him untouchable.

"I can't say for certain [we're not trading him] but we put a lot higher value on him than someone looking to acquire him," the GM said. Fowler has put it together since his demotion last season and is hitting .282/.377/.539 with ten homers this season.

I was wondering the same thing. Gonzalez, he’s young enough, good enough and on a long-term contract that you can keep him around and hope you turn the team around soon. But Cuddyer? What is so untouchable about him?

Honestly, it sounds to me like O’Dowd expects his team to compete next year. They’d better. Most GMs in his position would have been fired by now; I doubt he’ll get a long leash if he’s going to declare his team a playoff contender and fails again.

Agreed. Fowler is the better overall player, thus the better value. A change of scenery could also prove to be good for him at this point in his career. But Colorado continues to seem resistant to moving him.

If the Rockies believe they can turn their win-loss record around in the next couple of seasons, it makes perfect sense to hold on to Cuddyer.

Cuddyer can hit and he’s putting up good numbers in Coors Field. If they are genuinely trying to win their division and make a run, subtracting talent from their offense is not the way to go. A 4 man OF of Cuddyer [who can help out a bit at 3B, maybe fill in at 2B in a pinch, move over to 1B], Gonzalez, Fowler, and Colvin is a good place to start.

Hopefully getting a full year out of Tulowitzki, having someone emerge as a legit hitter over there at 2B. The Rockies main problem this year has been their pitching — and some of their young guys like Friedrich, Pomeranz, and White I really like, especially Friedrich.

If they can afford it, they are probably best off hanging on to their legitimate producers and trying to get the pitching staff turned around.